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The free software movement argues that people should have meaningful freedom over the software they use: to run it for any purpose, study and change it, share copies, and distribute modified versions. “Free” means liberty, not necessarily zero cost. The four freedoms are the test for whether a program qualifies; the movement’s wider purpose is user autonomy and cooperation.
What does “free software” mean?
The GNU Project and Free Software Foundation (FSF) describe free software as software that respects users’ freedom and community. Their concise formulation is: “Free software is a matter of liberty, not price.” The comparison is to “free speech,” not “free beer.” A program’s price or “free” label does not establish whether it is free software; the relevant question is whether users have the freedoms below.
What are the four freedoms?
According to the GNU Project and FSF, a program is free software only when users have all four essential freedoms:
- Run the program for any purpose. Users can use it as they choose, without being restricted to purposes approved by its developer.
- Study how the program works and change it. This freedom requires access to the source code, the form in which people can examine and modify the program.
- Redistribute copies. Users can share the program with others.
- Distribute modified versions. Users can share improvements with others. Access to the source code is necessary for this freedom to be meaningful.
All four matter. A program that withholds any one of them does not meet the GNU/FSF definition. Source-code availability is essential to studying and changing a program and to sharing changed versions, but it does not by itself establish that users have the full set of freedoms.
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What is the movement trying to achieve?
The GNU Project presents the Free Software Movement as a campaign for computer users’ freedom to form a community. The freedoms support three kinds of participation: users can help themselves by changing software, help others by sharing copies, and contribute to a community by publishing improved versions. In this view, software freedom is an ethical concern about user control and cooperation, not simply a claim that software is convenient or well made. GNU’s explanation of the movement sets out this connection between freedom and community.
Does free software have to be free of charge?
No. The definition does not require software to be gratis, nonprofit, or produced by volunteers. The GNU Project says qualifying software must be available for commercial use, commercial development, and commercial distribution. People may charge for copies while recipients retain the freedoms to use, copy, modify, and redistribute the software. GNU’s explanation of selling free software discusses how charging for it is compatible with those freedoms.
Is free software the same as open source?
The GNU Project says the terms describe nearly the same range of programs, but present different values and priorities. In GNU/FSF’s account, the free software movement emphasizes freedom and justice as ethical concerns, while the open source idea stresses practical advantages. That is GNU/FSF’s explanation of the distinction, not a universal statement that every advocate of either term would make. For a particular program, examine its license and the freedoms it grants rather than relying on either label alone. GNU’s discussion of the distinction explains its perspective.
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How can you tell whether a program fits the definition?
- Check whether you can run it for any purpose, without restrictions on intended use.
- Confirm that you can access its source code and have permission to study and change it.
- Check whether you may redistribute copies to others.
- Check whether you may distribute your modified versions.
- Review the applicable license terms. A low or zero price, or source code alone, does not answer all four questions.
Why wording and history matter
The GNU/FSF definition page has been revised and clarified over time, including on commercial activity and freedom 0. For the current formulation, consult the GNU Project’s definition of free software rather than relying on an older quotation copied without context.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Further reading
For a deeper discussion of the movement’s ideas, GNU publishes Free Software, Free Society, 3rd edition, a collection of essays about free software. GNU’s publication page provides information about the book.
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